So youve finally summoned up the courage to look for a new job. You want to really make a big change in your life and have identified your dream job? So how do you make sure that the job is yours?

Step 1: Research. Of course when you are chasing your dream job you are going to be very choosy. So learn all you can about the type of job that you are seeking, the industry you want to work in and the level at which you wish to work. Once you have identified these, then decide which companies you want to apply for. You may also wish to use employment agents to help you seek your perfect job.

When you have identified your potential employers then find out about their company, recent newsworthy items and the company culture.

If you are lucky enough to obtain an interview with a company then revisit your research and undertake a detailed review of the company, its size, location, products etc. This will equip you with material to answer many of the questions the interviewer will ask. A common question you may be asked is how your skills can benefit the company? If you have done your research properly, you will be able to match your skills to the company requirements.

Step 2: Your CV or Resume. This is your selling tool and introduces you to your potential employer. A vast majority of job openings will require your CV to be read by many different people, all seeking information about you. These range from the job agency, HR staff and potential manager to the interviewer and their bosses!

Make your CV stand out from the crowd, make it appropriate to the job that you are seeking and ensure that it matches the job description. As a business consultant, I have seen some really appalling CVs. So many in fact that I decided to do something about it and now own one of the best CV services web sites in the UK. If you can afford to have your CV or Resume professionally written then please do! A good resume writer knows how to present you and more importantly what goes into an interview winning CV.

Step 3: Preparation. Preparation for your interview is so important and is one of the steps so often forgotten.

* Discover how long it will take you to get to the interview site and add some time for unforeseen problems. If it is a long way away, then plan to stay close by the night before so that you arrive fresh.

* Put together some answers to potential questions you may be asked.

* Go through the job description and your research on the company and decide on a few questions that you wish to ask at the interview. This always creates a good impression.

* Get together your interview outfit, make sure it is clean and pressed.

* Print off a few extra CVs for the interviewers and put these with your questions, job descriptions and interview information.

* Have an early night and relax!

Step 4: Interview. Now is your time to make a good impression on your potential employers.

* Answer all questions truthfully and concisely, but with enough information to help them chose you.

* Dont embellish or tell lies your interviewer will by definition know more about the job than you will so a lie will quickly be found out. If you dont have the skills they are asking about then emphasize something similar and confirm that you are keen and quick to learn.

* Watch your body language. Get yourself in the right frame of mind for the interview interested and keen always works well.

* Be realistic about your salary expectations.

* Be confident but not intimidating.

Step 5: Closing the Deal. Well youve heard the good news that you have been offered the job so now what?

* Contact your referees and inform them of the good news, remembering to thank them for taking the time to provide you with a reference.

* Give in your notice, politely with your current company they will be referencing you as well remember! Let them know how much you enjoyed working with them, but you feel that you need a career change now.

* Prepare yourself for the first day of your dream job!

Lee Lister

Lee Lister is Management Consultant and Program Manager with more than 25 year's management and consultancy experience and more than 20 year's program and project management experience in projects for Banking, Finance, Insurance, Leisure and Government bodies. She also have more than 10 years bid management experience ranging from bids for medium companies to large international and infrastructure bids.

British born, Lee received her BA(Hons) Financial Economics from the University of Essex. She went on to work in or for a considerable number of countries within Asia and Europe as well as Australia and the United States. While building a name for herself through helping company restructure, change management and project management consultancy, Lee became a well-known figure for her skills in analyzing, problem solving and trouble-shooting. She has consulted for many major industries, including banking, telecommunications, insurance, transportation, leisure and governments from many different countries. Some of the companies who have benefited from Lee’s expertise are Hewlett Packard, Siemans Nixdorf, Electrolux and the Philippines government.

Whilst working in the Far East she became a recognized expert on preparing and evaluating large World Bank Proposals (infrastructure projects within developing countries). These accomplishments called upon the skills of bid and project management, risk assessment, contract negotiation and supplier management and required dedicated work to very tight time scales. This expertise was acknowledged by an invitation to be the principle speaker at an International Business Development Conference in Washington, USA. She has also consulted at very senior level in several countries.

She owns and manages two companies, Biz Guru LLC in the USA and Biz Guru Services Ltd in the UK as well a considerable number of profitable web sites. She works almost entirely via the internet, visiting clients on site during major consultancies and training. Her Internet skills span from when major companies first started to consider obtaining their own web sites. During these years, she has kept up to date with the rapid changes on the internet, including the dot com boom and the resulting bust – which her own web based companies survived.

She regularly consults, writes and lectures on business, bid management and marketing and has published numerous courses and books.